Santo Domingo.- Homicides fell 6.7% in the first half compared with the same period last year, at a rate of 18.5 per 100,000 inhabitants, with 906 killings, according to the Observatory for Public Safety.

Most of the killings (191) occurred in March, followed by January with 141; February 131; April 165; May 150 and 123 in June.

Santo Domingo and the National District reported the highest number of murders, 93 and 218 respectively, followed by Santiago, 96 and San Cristobal, 59, whereas Santiago Rodríguez and Pedernales provinces posted the fewest deaths, at four each.

Meanwhile figures from January to June last year totalled 971 cases.

Spouse–relate cases figure among the main cause of homicide, the vast majority committed with firearms.